Can Ron Paul’s “Respectful” Delegation Shift the National Republican Agenda?

Republican Presidential hopeful U.S. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) speaks during a town hall meeting. Can his delegates shift the policy agenda of the GOP?

Photo by T.J. Kirkpatrick/Getty Images

Ron Paul will not win the Republican nomination in 2012, but he might be able to shift the policy agenda of the GOP.

That’s the message from the Texas congressman’s campaign, after ceasing campaign spending in remaining primaries and instead focusing on August’s National Convention in Tampa

In a memo that surely disappointed his biggest fans, the libertarian effectively admitted defeat, noting that Mitt Romney has nearly clinched the delegates necessary to be nominated. Instead the campaign hopes to continue winning delegates and head to Florida with what Paul called a “large, respectful and professional delegation.”

While there, supporters will push their agenda of “liberty issues,” including Internet freedom, preventing indefinite detention, and monetary policy reform. Only time will tell if shifting the agenda at the Republican National Convention proves as unrealistic as a Ron Paul presidency. Stranger things have happened.

Viceo produced by Paca Thomas.

Ben Johnson is the producer of Marketplace Tech from American Public Media.